diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.install b/core/modules/system/system.install
index 7b8dc6202d..c7da69b45c 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.install
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.install
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
     }
   }
 
+  $phpversion = $phpversion_label = phpversion();
   if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
     $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
     $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_ERROR;
@@ -169,7 +170,6 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
   }
 
   // Test PHP version and show link to phpinfo() if it's available
-  $phpversion = $phpversion_label = phpversion();
   if (function_exists('phpinfo')) {
     if ($phase === 'runtime') {
       $phpversion_label = t('@phpversion (<a href=":url">more information</a>)', ['@phpversion' => $phpversion, ':url' => (new Url('system.php'))->toString()]);